With the C700, Canon has moved on to a different form factor for the first time in quite a while. The Canon EOS C700 is reminiscent of competitor cameras such as the Panasonic Varicam, Arri Amira or the Sony F55/F5, and its features and pricing clearly target it at the higher end of filmmaking.

Like with their C300 and C500 line, there will be separate EF and PL versions of the camera.

The Canon EOS C700 camera offers internal 4K recording to CFast 2.0 cards at up to 59.94p in XF-AVC (10-bit 4K, which we already know from the C300 Mark II) and also in ProRes (even in 4K 10-bit 422HQ, or 2K in ProRes 4444 at 12 bit).

Sampling from a 4.5K sensor and using the optional, specifically-developed Codex CDX-36150 recorder for which there is no pricing or availability yet, the Canon EOS C700 provides 120fps 4K RAW recording, which is probably its most mind-blowing feature. 4.5K RAW recording at up to 100fps is said to be coming at a later point via a Firmware upgrade.

When it comes to higher internal frame rates, the Canon EOS C700 can record the following:

4K internally to the CFast 2.0 cards at up to 60fps in XF-AVC format.

Apple 4K ProRes up to 30fps.

Up to 180 fps using the 10-bit 4:2:2 combined with the 2K centre crop.

Ability to record a 4:2:0 proxy onto an SD card in XF-AVC in 2K in 1080p, which is very useful for rushes

Other highlights of this new camera:

Dual Pixel CMOS AF (with compatible EF lenses), which is quite brilliant and easily the most innovative feature in Canon cameras these days, as seen already in many other cameras from Canon lately (5D Mark IV, C300 Mark II, 1DX Mark II …)

Dual Pixel Focus Guide (for manual focus confirmation).

Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3 including all the color science that sets Canon cameras still apart from Sony and others for many users

B4 Lens Support (for traditional 2/3″ ENG lenses).

Built-in ND Filters.

Anamorphic De-Squeeze (when outputting to EVF or monitor outputs, the image is stretched to 2.39:1 after de-squeezing. The magnification factor can be set to OFF/2x/1.33x to match the anamorphic optics in use).

Optional accessories:

1080p viewfinder EVF-V70, a new dedicated viewfinder clearly priced as high as other high-end viewfinders from Arri and Sony, and like them only works with the dedicated cameras (C700 and C300 Mark II)

Baseplate with Sony VCT Quick Release and what seem to be 15mm rods

Control grip is now optional too, looks similar to other control grips on large Canon ENG lenses and makes it an ENG-style camera

B4 Mount optical adapter to use 2/3 inch broadcast lenses on the camera

Above, footage by Canon marketing Japan.

It is yet to be seen how this new line of camera and accessories will be received by rental houses and high end professional users, but for now, one thing is sure: Canon just made a clear declaration of wanting to be a part of a handful of camera manufacturers who are aiming to the top.

Nino Leitner is a DOP and filmmaker based in Austria, but travels extensively for his work. He works on documentaries, commercials, corporate films and at times a narrative piece. He is co-owner of cinema5D.

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Nino Leitner is a DOP and filmmaker based in Austria, but travels extensively for his work. He works on documentaries, commercials, corporate films and at times a narrative piece. He is co-owner of cinema5D.